Western Railway on Thursday undertook a high-impact anti-encroachment drive in Bandra, targeting unauthorised settlements alongside the Tansa water pipeline.
The operation, executed in collaboration with multiple law enforcement bodies, led to the clearance of approximately 780 square metres of encroached railway land, reaffirming Mumbai’s commitment to sustainable and secure public infrastructure. The area, located on the south-east side of Bandra, had seen a surge in informal settlements in recent years, primarily comprising makeshift huts constructed from bamboo, plastic sheets, and tarpaulin. A total of 45 such structures were dismantled during the drive. Officials confirmed that the operation was conducted peacefully and concluded without incident or resistance, despite its scale and logistical intensity.
Over 225 personnel participated in the effort, representing the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), local law enforcement units, and Western Railway’s engineering division. These coordinated operations are increasingly becoming essential in a city where rapid urbanisation and informal housing often overlap with vital civic and transport infrastructure. Officials from Western Railway stated that the reclaimed land is part of a sensitive corridor that must remain encroachment-free to ensure the safe and uninterrupted operation of railway services, as well as the integrity of adjacent civic assets like the Tansa water pipeline — a critical component of Mumbai’s drinking water supply chain.
“This drive was not just about land clearance, but about reinforcing the sanctity of essential public infrastructure,” stated a senior official. “Rail corridors and water pipelines serve millions in Mumbai. Keeping these zones encroachment-free is not only about operational efficiency but also about public safety and environmental resilience.” The Bandra encroachment removal also points to a broader concern — the vulnerability of urban infrastructure in the face of informal expansion. Experts in urban development and planning assert that unchecked encroachments around critical corridors often exacerbate flooding risks during monsoon, impede routine maintenance, and pose serious safety hazards, especially in high-density cities like Mumbai.
As Mumbai prepares for another intense monsoon, such pre-emptive operations are vital in maintaining the robustness of the city’s infrastructure. The Tansa pipeline itself carries water over a long stretch from the Vaitarna and Tansa lakes into Mumbai, and any interference around it — even from informal settlements — poses risks of contamination, damage, or service disruption. Urban planning experts note that while the rights of the urban poor must be safeguarded, a sustainable solution lies in equitable resettlement and long-term housing strategies that do not compromise the safety and function of critical infrastructure. They recommend a more holistic approach from city authorities — combining enforcement with rehabilitation — to reduce the recurrent cycle of encroachments and demolitions.
This operation marks yet another chapter in Western Railway’s ongoing campaign to recover encroached land along its suburban network. In recent years, the agency has accelerated such initiatives, particularly in high-risk zones identified near water bodies, bridges, and signal cabins, where illegal constructions can endanger thousands of lives. While the authorities refrained from disclosing detailed relocation plans for those displaced by the clearance, officials indicated that due process had been followed, with multiple notices issued in advance. The drive aligns with directives from the railways and the state government to maintain clear access and safety zones around essential urban infrastructure.
For a city like Mumbai, where the stakes of infrastructure failure are disproportionately high, balancing human needs with systemic resilience is a complex but urgent necessity. As the city continues to expand and evolve, such proactive moves — when coupled with inclusive urban policy and sustainable housing development — can contribute meaningfully to building a more secure, livable, and equitable metropolis.
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